Skill Acquisition and Development: The Roles of State-, Parameter-, and Graph-Dynamics

Abstract
The development of motor skills can be portrayed as a dynamical process that involves three types of dynamics: state dynamics, parameter dynamics, and graph dynamics. The time scales associated with each type of dynamics are discussed, and an outline is provided of the role played by each type in the developing organism. In particular, the role of parameter dynamics and graph dynamics in producing qualitative, bifurcational changes in behavior is described. It is concluded that all three types of dynamics are required for a complete description of skill acquisition and development.